A Beachy Vignette & Furniture Makeovers

Okay, so let's start with a game--what is wrong with this picture?

Did you find it? The vintage shell sketch propped on the table is upside down. I would like to say it was intentional, something artsy I was trying, but sadly it was not. I didn't notice it until I had taken apart this staged vignette and uploaded my photos. Oh well, it hopefully won't bother you as much as it does me.

Let's start with the BEFORE pictures of the garage sale table,

and the garage sale, vintage, Drexel chair.

For the table, I sanded the black spray paint off to reveal lovely wood, perhaps mahogany?? The table is old and is heavy and well made. I didn't have sanding and stripping the curvy legs in me, so I chose to paint them a lovely, light, sage green.

The chair is not completely finished in these photos, I had a little more sanding to do on it. I stripped most of the finish off. I will use a protective clear coat on it that will keep the light, bleached wood look (I think this is white maple). I recovered the seat with a thrift store rug. It was a challenge to cut and staple so that there weren't any bulky spots, but I love the heavy fabric texture and the ocean blues in it.

I decided to show off these furniture upcycles with recent thrifted and garage sale finds in a simple, beachy vignette and sitting area. So besides the upside art, let's talk about what works with this display.

A wool rug that has beachy blues and greens and sunset peaches and oranges is a fantastic, temporary way to add some color and texture to the wall. Note how I didn't center the table against the rug. Hanging it off-center from the table adds interest and is a fresh way to display a wall hanging. Asymmetry is a good thing in vignettes. A bamboo handled picnic basket, perfect for a day at the beach, and works to hold items that you may want to hide in space. The bamboo handle and rattan basket add organic textures to the space.

A vintage, signed and number, etched plate print of a beach shack hangs on the wall. A bamboo and rattan tray repeat the textures found in the picnic basket and add height to the vignette. A couple pieces of driftwood add more height on the right side of the print.

The shell sketch sits atop the table, propped against the tray. Next to the tray behind the propped art is a candlesticks holding a decanter full of sea glass and shells.

On the table sits a shell-filled, thrifted planter in a lovely, ocean blue color. Three, larger, fancy shells sit on the table.  

Color, texture, repeated elements, varying heights, pieces with storage and purpose all make this beach inspired sitting spot ideal for a bedroom or family room.

5 Ways to Use an Accordion Peg Rack

Accordion peg racks are common finds at thrift stores. I probably see at least one a week at the local thrift shops. 

There are lots of different ways you can use this classic hanging racks in your home. Here are five ideas.

Use the peg reg as an ever-changing, decorative wall art piece. Add and subtract favorite items seasonally. Wire wrapped around a yellow glass bottle makes a hangable vase. The 1970 basket purse was a bit unstable on the peg so I used a rubber band to secure it. A favorite frame hangs evenly when placed on two pegs.

An accordion peg rack makes a great display for unframed art or photos. Tuck smaller pieces  in between the overlapping wood slats and hang larger pieces on wood pant hangers. These are all my painting practice pieces.

A more traditional use for a peg rack is to use it for coats, hats, and bags. It would be great in a closet or bathroom to hang favorite, frequently worn shirts.

The peg rack can be hung vertically and narrow wood pieces will rest on the pegs to make a display shelf. You need to use a nail or screw under one of the cross joints so that the rack doesn't move. I would secure the wood pieces with a bit of hot glue to make a perfect shelf for a favorite collection or small trinkets.

And the typical use for these accordion peg racks is in the kitchen as mug and towel holders. They look nice hanging on the wall under cupboards or above a coffee station. 

A few other ways to utilize these racks include drying flowers and herbs, hanging towels in the bathroom or outdoors by a swimming pool, displaying a vintage tablecloth collection, hang copper pots from one, or use to display a wood cutting board collection. There are so many ideas and ways to put these pieces to work in your home--be sure to pick them up when you see them!

Red, White, and Blue Decor that Isn't a Flag

If you love red, white, and blue decor for summer here is your reminder that you don't have to drape flags all over your house to achieve the festive look you are looking for. I believe flags are meant to be flown respectfully, not used as decorations. If you like to decorate with flags, that is great, I just don't.

These recently sourced items add perfect vintage Americana style to any home. Keep reading to learn about the details on these thrifted finds.

The blue wood box is homemade and has lots of compartments in it. It makes a great display piece open, but could be set on a table closed as a lift that adds some color. The vintage white and blue tablecloth and other vintage linens add color and pattern.

The mosaic tile barn art is a nice piece of folk art. The red ceramic berry basket can be used to hold berries or flowers.

The colors in this vintage still life incorporate the summer scheme without being too literal.

A cotton navy blue striped blanket in a red gingham lined wire basket holding a bicentennial plate and a faux red geranium all speak of summer.

Blue tin graniteware, a gold bell sitting on red stool, vintage books all incorporate more Americana without being too over the top. Remember to have fun when sourcing new items for your home and look for things that convey the mood or theme that you want to create without being too literal. Subtle touches are better design than over-the-top.

Rustic Refined Vignette

Vignettes--if you have been here before you have probably heard (read) me talking about vignettes. Vignettes, displays, groupings, a still life, whatever you want to call them, are a simple and lovely way to bring your and your family's personalities into the home. Vignettes organize the small objects we collect and treasure and love into eye-pleasing displays that are interesting to look at. They help objects to feel connected rather than scattered about your home in a cluttered, willy-nilly fashion.

Here is a vignette I put together with recently sourced objects. While these items will be for sale in my pop-up shop, I am 'teaching" you how to create exciting vignettes. Keep reading to see why this works and how you can use these principals in your home.

Objects in a vignette should be interesting and mean something to you. They should provoke visitors in your home to ask questions and want to look more. Antiques and vintage finds, art that you love, pieces that you can't part with are all perfect for your home displays.

Start by gathering objects with a similar theme or feel. You won't use everything, you must play and edit as you go. Decide where you want to create your vignette. It doesn't have to be on a bookshelf. Vignettes can be on top of cupboards, on small tables, on a chair or bench, on a mantle. I placed this vignette on a small wood table. Because it has a pink formica top, I covered it with a deer wall hanging. You can't really see the deer scene, but it helps to incorporate the colors and texture and covers the ugly tabletop. 

Use different materials--wood, metal, natural objects, fabric with texture. LAYER items. The art propped on the box edge against the wood blanket ladder can't be completely seen, but it incorporates color and invites you to look further.

Repeat colors and materials. There is green in the horse barn painting, in the branches, the candles, the pinecone pottery dish. This painting is a print on canvas. It is old and is by Robert Roche, circa 1960. It is entitled Saratoga Horse Haven and is more of a horse racing style. But the greens and wood horse stalls work with this more rustic style as well.

The dark wood boxes and the lighter wood elements unify the vignette. The top on this small wood box twists and is a spice box. Sitting it on top of an old book makes it feel a little more important and not so "lonely" sitting on the corner of the big wood box.

Brass candlesticks, a metal barrel hoop handle, a brass bell (in the small wood box) repeat the metal aspects. These brass candlesticks are very old and a real find.

Use items in an unusual or interesting way and solve problems creatively. I wanted to show off one of the beautiful pictures in this old 1958 Animals of North America book. There is a full page picture every 3 pages. The book is propped up on a wood box inside the wood box, but it wouldn't stay open on the picture side. An old wood pant hanger with advertising on it was the perfect solution. Not only does it hold the book open, but it adds another wood element.

Create loose symmetry in your vignettes. The candlesticks mimic the the upright sides on the ladder. The rectangle art and the rectangle book fool the eye into thinking that they are symmetrical. Symmetry and repeated elements keeps the eyes moving. 

The hoop handle on the small wood box introduces another shape that contrasts the square lines of most items. The round pottery dish matches the hoop handle

I like stuff--I like things with history, items that evoke a memory or are handed down. I love vintage art and nature and old stuff. But, believe it or not, I do NOT like clutter. I am maybe a maximalist in a minimalist way. Creating vignettes allows me to be both, to have the things but to display them in an organized way that is visually appealing.

And my last tip is take pictures with your phone. When I first took a picture of this vignette, the table was too far to the left. I didn't see it with my eye, but did see it in the picture, oh and don't take it too seriously, have fun, add and subtract. 

Setting a Summer Table with Thrift Store Find

Rats, thwarted by Mother Nature again. I was all set to share an al fresco, summer table setting when big, dark clouds rolled on in. So, instead I staged this cheerful summer tablescape in our AIR BNB.

When I think summer colors bright sunny yellow, blue, and green come to mind. Thrifted items come together with that perfect summery color scheme.

A vintage, yellow gingham, square tablecloth with embroidered corners sets the tone.

Bright yellow Fiesta Ware dishes, blue, tin, granite plates, and vintage, plastic, yellow cups with green cloth napkins in them all incorporate my summer color plan.

Thrifted serving dishes add more color and a vintage, green, crinkle glass vase with thrifted faux sunflowers complete this happy table setting. 

I am looking forward to many summer meals on the back porch I just need the sunshine to get ready!